English Premier League side Sunderland is standing by new coach Paolo Di Canio, despite growing protests over his political persuasions.

Di Canio has described himself as a fascist and has previously been sanctioned for making a one-arm salute on the pitch.

I don't want to talk about any more politics for one reason: because in here, if I'm not wrong, I'm not in the House of Parliament, I'm not a political person.

Sunderland coach Paolo Di Canio

The local miners' association says it is appalled that such a man has been chosen for the top job and is severing its links to the club.

Former UK foreign secretary David Miliband immediately resigned as Sunderland vice-chairman on hearing Di Canio had been appointed coach.

In a tense media conference, Di Canio said his political views should not be an issue.

"I don't want to talk about any more politics for one reason: because in here, if I'm not wrong, I'm not in the House of Parliament, I'm not a political person. I want to talk about only football," he said.

Sunderland AFC was built on the site of a former coalmine and, until now, the miners have had very close ties to the club.

But the Durham Miners' Association is now demanding that its banner, which hangs in the club, be returned.

While Di Canio has been brought in to save the club from possible relegation, the association's general secretary David Hopper says the club has chosen the wrong man to do so.

"It's a good job he's not in the House of Parliament with them views," Mr Hopper said.

We feel the decision to appoint this man has besmirched the memory of the coalminers, many of whom fought and lost their lives in the battle against fascism in the Second World War.

Durham Miners' Association's David Hopper

"We feel the decision to appoint this man has besmirched the memory of the coalminers, many of whom fought and lost their lives in the battle against fascism in the Second World War, also in Spain, in the Spanish Civil War.

"We obviously want to see the club survive [relegation]. There's no problem there. I've been a supporter all my life. I was born there, just outside the ground.

"But we also have principles as coalminers. The British coalminers have fought fascism all our lives. We are proud men. We are principally right.

"We think we've took the right decision. We think the football club have took the wrong decision."

There is also criticism of Di Canio's appointment from the Football Against Racism in Europe network.

"They are located in an area in which there is a lot of unemployment, a lot of youth unemployment and a lot of young people are turning to the far Right. And I think the danger is that his presence could encourage that," the network's chief executive Piara Power said.

Di Canio developed a reputation as a hothead during spells as a player with British clubs Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham and Charlton Athletic.

He was banned for 11 matches for shoving a referee in September 1998 and also had several run-ins with players during his successful 21-month stint at Swindon.

However, he said he was not worried about bruising egos at Sunderland, who sit a point above the relegation zone with seven matches to play.

"It's better to have 15 players ready for the fight than 25 players that are completely lazy," he said.

"It would be better to find a different situation, but I think I have enough quality to work with."

Sunderland's first match with Di Canio as coach is against Chelsea on Sunday. It may be no bad thing that it is an away game.